Originally penned Ayreon: The Final Experiment with no artist noted, at the suggestion of the record label the subject was later detached, and used as the name for what was to be Lucassen's Ayreon project.

Prologue
The prologue is narrated by the character Merlin. He explains that scientists living in the future, in the year 2084, have developed a method of sending messages back in time, using a process called time telepathy. Having seen earth narrowly avert destruction from a variety of causes in the time leading up to 2084, humanity's ultimate hope rests with this experiment. These scientists must warn denizens living in the past of the future that awaits them, so that they may take preemptive action to prevent humanity's decline and ultimate destruction.

Act I: "The Dawning"
The setting changes to 6th century Britain, and introduces the blind minstrel, Ayreon. He receives the message sent with time telepathy, and after a lifetime in darkness, is able to see the images of the future. Ayreon knows nothing of the details related to the message he received, who it came from, or when. Believing the message to be sent by the Lords of Time, he sets off to sing of humanity's upcoming demise, through songs of environmental disaster, pervasive computer technology, and war. Such predictions are frightening to his 6th century audience, and the villagers who hear his words soon throw him out of town.

Act II: "King Arthur's Court"
In this act, cast out of his village, Ayreon travels to the domain of King Arthur. His reputation as a minstrel permits him entrance to Arthur's court, where Ayreon is able to sing of his visions to the crowd.

Act III: "Visual Echoes"
Merlin, the wizard of King Arthur's court, becomes jealous of Ayreon's extra-sensory perception of the future. He is dissatisfied with the message spread by the minstrel, and convinces the court that Ayreon's visions are not genuine.

Act IV: "Merlin's Will and Ayreon's Fate"
Deeming it necessary to silence the minstrel bringing him grief, Merlin curses Ayreon, which results in a permanent inability to communicate. Merlin soon recognizes he was in error, but too late, and Ayreon's message is quelled. That is, until the end of the 20th century, when Merlin predicts another minstrel will receive the message predicting humanity's downfall.

This was not a beginning. This was The Beginning. It was a daring beginning, for the time of rock operas was long past, things in the vain of The Who "Tommy" or "Jesus Christ Superstar" hadn't been done in ages. And in 1994 Dutchman Arjen Anthony Lucassen began to carry out the project of rock opera, a project combining different music styles, different singers and a science fiction story to back this all up.

Frankly if you don't have some level of appreciation for this album you can't possibly enjoy later Ayreon releases. This is basically the blueprint for all those to follow, not to mention where the name comes from and where the core theme originates.

Frankly if you don't have some level of appreciation for this album you can't possibly enjoy later Ayreon releases. This is basically the blueprint for all those to follow, not to mention where the name comes from and where the core theme originates.

totally agreed, just like all of Arjen's other stuff. Beyond me that people actually enjoy this stuff immensely and think it's great

I do agree a lot of his stuff is cheesy, but the few things that make Ayreon great is the fact that he uses a lot of different musicians for his albums (characters), making it unique and original. Furthermore, every album is just a part of one bigger story, so the lyrics and themes of the songs basically tell the story. If you're not into that kind of thing, I can understand you don't enjoy it. All I can say is that even if you haven't enjoyed listening to The Human Equation or Into The Electric Castle (my favourite), then Ayreon is definitely not for you (which it probably isn't).

totally agreed, just like all of Arjen's other stuff. Beyond me that people actually enjoy this stuff immensely and think it's great

I do agree a lot of his stuff is cheesy, but the few things that make Ayreon great is the fact that he uses a lot of different musicians for his albums (characters), making it unique and original. Furthermore, every album is just a part of one bigger story, so the lyrics and themes of the songs basically tell the story. If you're not into that kind of thing, I can understand you don't enjoy it. All I can say is that even if you haven't enjoyed listening to The Human Equation or Into The Electric Castle (my favourite), then Ayreon is definitely not for you (which it probably isn't).

I agree with Marcel and I am one of them progheads ; I find this band's music not only cheesy but pompous and pretentious (both lyrically and musically).